Since 1967, the non-partisan, non-profit National Academy of Public Administration has provided expert advice to government leaders in building and managing more effective, efficient, equitable, accountable, and transparent organizations. NAPA’s national network of over 850 Fellows includes former cabinet officers, Members of Congress, governors, mayors, and state legislators, as well as prominent scholars, business executives, and public administrators.
As part of its Congressional charter, the National Academy of Public Administration “shall, whenever called upon by Congress, or the Federal Government, investigate, examine, experiment, and report upon any subject of government.” NAPA’s mandate specifically includes to advise “on the relationship of federal, state, regional, and local governments [and] to increase public officials’, citizens’, and scholars’ understanding of the requirements and opportunities for sound governance and how these can be effectively met”.
In line with this mandate, NAPA’s Standing Panel on Intergovernmental Systems analyzes intergovernmental systems across different sectors and engages in policy dialogues around challenges and issues related to the U.S. federal system and intergovernmental relations. NAPA’s Standing Panel on Intergovernmental Systems has substantial convening power and is uniquely positioned to advocate for the idea that “federalism and intergovernmental systems matter” and to provide an entry-point for public officials, citizens, and scholars into evidence-based policy discussions around intergovernmental (governance, administrative and fiscal) systems and relations.